Milk containers



June 22, R. F.

' MILK CONTAINERS Filed Nov. 1, 1961 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 i I 5 I u l 5 l l i l ROBE/Pr F Mam 50K:- HOWARD A. KRAFT BY Q wmaly ATTORNEY June 1965 R. F. MEINECKE ETAL 3,190,537

MILK CONTAINERS Filed Nov. 1, 1961 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 F76. c9 ROBERT F ME'INECKE HOW/4RD R. KPAFr United States Patent 3,190,537 MILK CONTAINERS Robert F. Meinecke, Stillwater, and Howard R. Kraft,

St. Paul, Minn assignors to Waldorf Paper Products This invention relates to an improvement in containers and deals particularly with a container which may be used in the shipment of milk and other flowable materials.

Various types of containers have been employed for the delivery of milk and similar materials in bulk quantities. In some instances, the milk has been placed and stored in sheet plastic bags having a tube integrally connected thereto, and having a filling neck. The bags are placed within a container such as a regular style corrugated container, the bag being filled and the filling neck being sealed. The dispensing tube is also closed by a suitable closing means. After the milk has been delivered, the tube is removed in part from the container and used to drain the contents of the bag. After being emptied, the bag and container are discarded.

While this arrangement has proven feasible, it is still slightly higher in cost than the idea of pouring the milk into sterilized metal cans which are returned after use. One of the biggest difficulties with the use of metal cans lies in the fact that they must be returned and sterilized, and just as much space is required to return the cans as is required to originally deliver them.

A. feature of the present invention resides in the provision of a container of the type in question which include-s a plastic bag of the general type previously used and in providing an outside container comprising a rectangular sleeve of corrugated paperboard which is equipped with a pair of enclosures, preferably formed.

of plastic. Means are provided for securing the plastic enclosures to the ends of the sleeve, this means effectively locking the enclosures in position. The bottom enclosure is provided with an aperture through which the drain tube of the inner bag may extend, and the closure includes a small receptacle designed to contain a portion of the end of the tube. As a result, the container; may be used in the same manner as a regular style container but may be somewhat more easily handled.

A feature of the present invention resides in the fact that the plastic end closures, while relatively expensive to purchase, may be returned for reuse, and these closures may be shipped or transported in a fraction of the space required for the completed containers. Furthermore, due to the fact that there are no end flaps on the sleeve, the amount of paperboard which is thrown away is at a minimum. As a result, the only part which is discarded is the paperboard sleeve which is considerably less expensive to produce than a regular style container of the same size and shape.

.A further feature of the present invention resides in the fact that the top closure member may be provided with a handle by means of which the container may be lifted. The enclosures engage the side walls of the sleeve tightly enough so that the filled container may be handled by the handle on the top closure.

A further feature of the present invention resides in the provision of a novel manner of securing the enclosures in place. The enclosures include a closure panel which is provided with a marginal channel-shaped rim. This channel is of just about sufiicient width to accommodate an end of the corrugated sleeve. Projections are provided on one side of the channel on at least two opposed sides of the closure which extend inwardly toward ice the other side of the channel so that the space between the end of the projection and the opposite wall of the channel is narrower than the thickness of the paper-board. The material forming the enclosure is somewhat resilient and flexible so that the channel walls bearing the projection may flex outwardly to some extent as the enclosure is inserted in place.

The sleeve is provided with a cut score line which is parallel to the end of the sleeve and is spaced therefrom a distance substantially equal to the distance between the base of the channel and the projection. As a result, as the enclosure is applied to the end of the sleeve, the projection engages a portion of the sleeve inwardly of the cut score line, and the marginal portion of the paperboard may return to its normal position, the portion between the cut score line forming a definite shoulder against which the projection engages to lock the enclosure from disengagement.

These and other objects and novel features of the present invention will be more clearly and fully set forth in the following specification and claims.

In the drawings forming a part of the specification:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of the assembled container.

FIGURE 2 is a perspective view of the sleeve used in the formation of the container.

FIGURE 3 is a sectional view through the top portion of the container.

FIGURE 4 is a bottom perspective view of the bot-tom closure of the container.

FIGURE 5 is a diagrammatic view of the blank from which the container is formed.

FIGURE 6 is a top plan view of the top closure member.

FIGURE 7 is a bottom plan view of the top closure member.

FIGURE 8 is a bottom plan view of the bottom closure of the container.

FIGURE 9 is a top plan view of the bottom closure of the container.

FIGURE 10 is a cross sectional view showing in enlarged form a crushed form a crushed area in the sleeve.

FIGURE 11 is a View similar to FIGURE 10 showing the crushed area where a single cut score line is employed.

In general, the container A is formed of three separate parts, one of which comprises a sleeve B of corrugated paperboard or similar-material, the second of .Which comprises the top closure member C, and the third of which comprises the bottom closure member D. The container also includes in preferred form, a bag E which is formed of a suitable flexible plastic sheeting. In general, the bag E, and preferably includes a neck portion at the top of the bag through which the bag may be filled, this portion not being illustrated in detail in the drawings, and also includes a dispensing tube 1d which is normally closed by means of a suitable clamp 11 which is shown in general in FIGURE 1 of the drawings. The sleeve B is formed as is best illustrated in FIG- URE 5 of the drawings. The sleeve includes wall panels 12, 13, 14 and 15 which are foldably connected together along parallel lines of told 16, 17 and 19. A stitch or glue lap 20 is hingedly connected to one end panel such as 15 along the fold line 21. The flap 20 is preferably secured in overlapping relation with the marginal edge of the panel 12 to form the complete tubular sleeve. In the particular arrangement illustrated, the panels are of equal width as the container i square in cross section.

The lower edgeof the blank forming sleeve B may be provided with notches which are in alignment with the fold lines 16, 17, 19 and 21. The purpose of these notches is to permit liquid to escape from the sleeve. In

the event the bag E should become punctured and leak, it is preferred to allow the liquid to leak from the container rather than to remain contained therein and soak into the corrugated board so that the entire sleeve will collapse. The lower edge of one of the panels, such as the panel 14, is provided with two spaced parallel slits 23 extending into the panel at right angles to the lower edge thereof which are for a purpose which will be later described. The outer surface of the sleeve is provided with two spaced out score lines 24 extending entirely across the blank near the upper end thereof, and a similar pair of score lines 25 which extend entirely across the blank near the lower end thereof. The cut score line of each pair which is nearest the edge is of importance in the operation of the device. The inner score line is desirable, but may be omitted if it is preferred.

The top closure C is formed as best illustrated in FIGURE 3 of the drawings. This top closure C includes a top closure panel which preferably includes a central shallow concave portion 27, the major portion of which is spanned by the handle 29. The concave area of the top closure is designed to increase the strength of the top closure and to prevent the top closure panel 26 from bowing upwardly when carried by the handle 29. The top closure panel 26 is rectangular in outline and is provided with a peripheral upwardly extending flange 30 which is also of rectangular shape. The rectangular flange 30 is connected along the line of bend 31 to a downwardly extending flange 32 spaced outwardly from the upwardly extending flange 30. In other words, the top closure panel 26 is encircled by a channel shaped flange, the sides of which are spaced apart a distance to snugly accommodate the sleeve B therebetween. The corners of the outer flange 32 are notched as indicated at 33, the notches 33 extending at least partially of the height of the outer flange 32, and the outer flange may be notched the entire height if preferred.

Wedge shaped projections 34 are provided on the inner surfaces of at least two opposed sides of the outer flange 32, and these projections may be on all of the sides if desired. The projections 34 are preferably centered with respect to the flange sides and extend perhaps one-third of the length of the flanges. The projections 34 taper toward the inner surface of the flange 32 at their lower ends and are thickest at their upper ends, providing a shoulder 35 at the upper end. The distance between the shoulder 35 and the rounded base portion 31 of the channel shaped flange is substantially equal to the distance between the upper cut score line 24 and the upper edge of the sleeve B.

The lower closure D is constructed as best illustrated in FIGURES 4, 8, and 9 of the drawings. The member D includes a bottom closure panel 36 of rectangular form which is encircled by a peripheral downwardly extending flange 37 connected by a rounded channel base 39 to a peripheral outer flange 40. The flanges 37, 39, and 40 form a peripheral channel-shaped flange structure, the sides of which are spaced apart a distance to snugly accommodate the lower edge of the sleeve B. The corners of the outer flange 40 are notched as indicated at 41, and the notches may extend a portion of the height of the outer flange or the full height thereof.

At least two opposed sides of the outer flange 40 are provided with inwardly extending paper projections 42 which are identical in shape to the projections 34 and form downwardly facing shoulders similar to the shoulders 35 which are spaced from the base 39 of the channel a distance substantially equal to the distance between the at one end of the notch 43 and having a square end 46 extending to the flange 37 at the opposite end of the notch 43. A partition Wall 47 extends into the enclosure formed by the wall 44 at generally right angles to the wall 46, and a similar partition 49 extends into the enclosure from the wall 44. These partitions 47 and 49 terminate in spaced relation and at a distance somewhat less than twice the diameter of the tube 10. An aperture 50 extends through the bottom panel 36 within the area defined by the wall 44. The purpose of this arrangement will be described.

In operation, the sleeve B is squared up, and the lower end of the sleeve is forced down into the channel shaped flange encircling the bottom closure D. The sleeve is turned so that the panel 14 enters the notched side of the bottom closure so that the slits 23 generally coincide with the ends of the notch 43. This arrangement permits the area 51 between the slits 23 to be folded upwardly and outwardly as indicated in FIGURE 1 of the drawings when the product is to be dispensed.

The bag E is next inserted into the sleeve, and the tube 10 is inserted through the aperture 50. The clip 11 is provided on the tube to prevent the flow of liquid through the tube. The tube is double as indicated in dotted outline in FIGURE 8 and the doubled portion is inserted in the portion of the enclosure defined by portions of the wall 44, the end 46 and the partitions 47 and 49. The tube 10 is pinched between the ends of the partitions 47 and 49 to the extent necessary to retain the tube frictionally engaged within the enclosure formed by the wall 44.

The bag E is then filled with milk or other products and the top of the bag is sealed. The top closure C is then applied to the top of the sleeve B, and the package is complete.

During the production of the sleeve 44, the area between the cut score line 24 and between the cut score lines 25 is preferably crushed so as to flatten the flutes of the corrugated medium between the two outer liners. As a result, when the closures C and D are engaged on the ends of the sleeves, the outer flanges 32 and 40 may flex outwardly to a small extent due to the notches 33 and 41 which are proportioned to provide the necessary flexibility of the outer flanges. As a result, the projections 34 and 42 slide over the outer surface of the sleeve until the shoulders 35 on the projections clear the cut score line 24 and 25 nearest the upper and lower edges of the sleeve, the projections then entering the crushed portion and the shoulders are actually engaging the end portions of the sleeve outwardly of the crushed areas. In actual practice, this engagement is suificiently strong so that when the structure is assembled, five gallons of milk may be carried in the container by lifting the handle 29. If a single cut score line 24 and 25 is used, the adjoining areas inwardly of the cut score lines can be crushed inwardly by the use of a Frusto-conical roller which crushes the corrugated board to the greatest extent adjoining the cut score line. FIGURES 10 and 11 indicate diagrammatically the appearance of the crushed areas, FIGURE 10 indicating the area where two spaced cut score lines are used, and FIGURE 11 illustrating the arrangement when a single cut score line is employed along the upper and lower edges of the sleeve.

When the milk or other product has arrived at its destination, it is rested upon a generally fiat surface, the portion 51 of the sleeve panel 14 pulled outwardly as indicated in FIGURE 1, and the tube 10 withdrawn. The product is then dispensed through the tube 10 by operation of the clamp 11. After use, the bag and sleeve are discarded, the ends C and D removed and returned to the producer.

In accordance with the patent statutes, we have described the principles of construction and operation of our improvement in Milk Containers, and while we have endeavored to set forth the best embodiment thereof, we desire to have it understood that changes may be made within the scope of the following claims without departing from the spirit of our invention.

We claim:

It. An end closure closing the end of an open ended tubular sleeve, the sleeve being formed of corrugated paperboard and having a cut score extending into a surface of the sleeve parallel to, and adjacent, an end thereof, the end closure comprising a closure panel and a marginal rim on said panel or" channel shaped cross section and adapted to enclose said end of said sleeve, said rim having a plurality of projections on the inner surface of said channel shaped rim, said projections being spaced from the base or said channel-shaped rim a distance not less than the distance between said out score and said end of said sleeve, said projections being engageable with the surface of said sleeve including said cut score.

2. The structure of claim 1 and in which said sleeve comprises a series of hingedly connected panels, and in which said closure rims have outer channel Walls which are slotted at the corners of the rim.

3. An end closure in combination with a corrugated paperboard sleeve having an open end, said sleeve comprising a series of panels hingedly connected together in tubular relation, at least two of the panels having cut score lines in a surface thereof parallel to, and spaced from, said end of said sleeve, said end closure comprising a closure panel of substantially the same cross-sectional area and shape as said sleeve, a marginal rim or" channelshaped cross-section encircling said closure panel, said rirn including a pair of parallel flanges and a connecting base, said flanges being spaced apart a distance substantially equal to the thickness of the paperboard of said sleeve, said rirn including projections on at least two opposed sides extending from one flange toward the opposite fiange and spaced from the base of the channel a distance at least as great as the distance between said out score lines and said one end of said sleeve, said projec tions ted to extend into the body of the paperboard from said one surface and beyond said out score line from said one end of said sleeve.

4. The structure of claim 3 and in which said end closure is formed of slightly resilient plastic.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS GEORGE O. RALSTGN, Prz'nwry Examiner.

RAPHAEL M. LUPQ, LOUKS I. DEB/1B9, Examiners. 

1. AN END CLOSURE CLOSING THE END OF AN OPEN ENDED TUBULAR SLEEVE, THE SLEEVE BEING FORMED OF CORRUGATED PAPERBOARD AND HAVING A CUT CORE EXTENDING INTO A SURFACE OF THE SLEEVE PARALLEL TO, AND ADJACENT, AN END THEREOF, THE END CLOSURE COMPRISING A CLOSURE PANEL AND A MARGINAL RIM ON SAID PANEL OF CHANNEL SHAPED CROSS SECTION AND ADAPTED TO ENCLOSE SAID END OF SAID SLEEVE, SAID RIM HAVING A PLURALITY OF PROJECTIONS ON THE INNER SURFACE OF SAID CHANNEL SHAPED RIM, SAID PROJECTIONS BEING 